VTTV: He he. That's a very positive way of looking at this Mr Karuppan, and we are indeed glad that you are able to do this to keep your spirits up. Anyway, as the talks started, it became quite clear that they will go on for longer than planned. Tell us - why did the discussions go for so long?

SMK: When you keep talking in an atmosphere of friendship, in an atmosphere of trust, then there is naturally a tendency to prolong the discussions.

VTTV: I repeat - tell us - why did the discussions go for so long?

SMK: I thought I just answered that.

VTTV: Well then, think again.

SMK:விடமாட்டேபோலிருக்கு? Ok Iwillsaythetruth. Everytimetheysaidsomething, I had to call up MumMohan. Who had to call up Sonyeah. Who had to call up Congress Customer Care comprising Karmanidhi and a host of (பெருச்) allies. Plus if am right, Ampani was also involved in the loop somewhere. It is not an easy task for so many people to reach a concensus and send across a decision. Often by the time they could do that, the Pakis had done 2-3 namaas.

VTTV: But it wasn't unpleasant during the talks?

SMK: Not at all, not at all!

VTTV: Looks like your problems started right there - maybe you weren't really paying attention to the discussions. முன்னூறு camera and mic இருக்கும்போதேஅந்தஆளுஅப்டிபேசினான்.யாரும்இல்லாதப்போ bad words-லயேதிட்டிருப்பான்.

SMK: As long as talks went on, it went off very well without any rancour and again in the press conference there was no rancour exhibited.

SMK: Let me clarify. The point that Mr Kurichi was trying to make - to draw a comparison between Hafiz Saeed and Home Secretary Mr Pullai - I think, that was the most ridiculous statement that one could hear of.

VTTV: Now you are becoming more frank. We like it. Do you believe that you went in to the talks handicapped, with your hands tied behind your back, because the Home Secretary had made the Headley interrogation report public the very morning that you were leaving for Islamabad?

SMK:அம்மாசத்தியமா that is the reason why I didn't support him! Didn't want to tell, but you pulled the words out of my mouthu. அவன்அவன்பயத்தோடஅண்டைநாட்டுக்குபோகும்போது, அத support பண்றதுதானேஒரு Home Secretary-குஅழகு? அதவிட்டுட்டுஇப்டிகலவரம்தூண்டுறமாதிரி comment அடிச்சு, ஏற்கனவேகொழம்பிஇருக்குற relationship-லகுச்சியவிட்டுஆட்டுனா, நாங்கல்லாம்நாக்குவழிக்குறதா? அங்கபோயிட்டுஉயிரோடதிரும்பிவரவேணா? Raascolu.

VTTV: So you did not find Kurichi's comments offensive?

SMK: Offensive aa? If Kurichi hadn't said that, I would have done so myself. In fact, when Kurichi made that statement, I was mentally rehearsing the exact words to use. That is why when Kurichi made that comment...

VTTV: ...you did not respond?

SMK: ...I did not clap, whistle and prance around.

VTTV: Err... Ok. Anyway, at this stage, I need to ask you a question that might get a bit personal. Hope you wouldn't mind. There is some speculation going on in politically-informed circles that you and Mr Kurichi are brothers. Half-brothers possibly.. And..

SMK: What! This is ridiculous! It can't be so. What proof do you have?

VTTV: What're your initials?

SMK: SM

VTTV: Kurichi's?

SMK:ஆஹாஅப்டிபோகுதா matteru?

VTTV: Matteruஅப்டிபோயிருச்சோனுதான்எங்களுக்குலாம்சந்தேகம். குறிப்பாசுப்ரமணியசுவாமிக்குரொம்பசந்தேகம். He contends that this is the sentimental reason why you have asked for and got the External Affairs portfolio.

SMK:ஆகா Room போட்டுயோசிப்பாங்களோ?

VTTV: These kinds of comments are not helping your case.

SMK: Right விடு. Even if what you are saying is true, I am the legal heir.

VTTV: That also has been reported by Mr Swamy. He alleges that கள்ளகுறிச்சி is actually named after your கள்ள-brother Kurichi.